– Norwegian ski jumping of the time – VG

Women joined the jumping program at the World Cup in 2009, but only this year have they had a chance to jump off the big hill.

Maren Lundby has been one of the biggest advocates for women having a chance on the big hill and the 26-year-old Norwegian leapt to historic gold.

The Norwegian was in the lead after the first round and jumped well enough in the second round to keep the competitors behind. Thus, she took the first gold on the great hill for women in the history of the World Cup.

Lundby won 8.7 points ahead of Sara Takanashi and 9.5 points ahead of Nika Kriznar and was clearly moved when it became clear that she had leapt to gold.

– It’s just a great day, just to manage and become world champion in itself, I had not imagined it a couple of weeks ago, and in addition to this day here for which we have fought so hard. That combination is hard to take in, Lundby tells NRK.

To VG, she thanks the jumping manager Clas Brede Bråthen, the Norwegian Ski Association and the fans for helping to support the fight she faced so that the women had the opportunity to jump off the big hill in the WC, as they did during last year. Test toilet.

– I classify the gold to the top with my Olympic gold. He’s been at the top for a long time, but now I think he should at least share the space, Lundby tells VG.

– I think it is probably the most deserved gold medal of all time that has been awarded in ski jumping. Plus, it’s all-time Norwegian ski jumping that does it, Bråthen tells VG.

Lundby has as many as 30 World Cup victories in his career, 19 more than Roar Ljøkelsøy and Halvor Egner Granerud, who have more on the men’s side.

Gold is Lundby’s first at this year’s World Cup, but now she has a four-drill medal for female jumpers in the championship (silver in normal hill, bronze in team competition, silver in mixed team competition. and now gold in the competition. big hill).

Lundby has individual gold in three consecutive championships (Olympics in 2018, WC in 2019 and WC in 2021), something that only Carina Voigt (2014-2017) has previously achieved on the women’s side. Birger Ruud (1935-1937) is the only male jumper to do the same. Ruud is also the only Norwegian jumper to have won three individual World Cup gold medals during his career, but Lundby is the Norwegian jumper with the most World Cup medals during his career with eight (Anders Bardal held the record with seven World Cup medals before this year. championship).

Jacob-Tullin Thams won the first Norwegian WC jumping gold during the WC at Lahti in 1926. The same man also won Olympic gold at Chamonix in 1924.

Øyvind Lundby has proudly followed her sister’s fantastic career. On Wednesday night, the brother of the gold winner unleashed jubilation at the historic victory on a great hill.

– I have spoken with Maren a lot this fall and winter. I know how much this means. I know how hard he has worked to get in shape for this World Cup, as he has been this season, he tells VG.

– I know this means a lot to her. I am dumbfounded by admiration. It is the most deserved gold in the World Cup, says the brother.

Mother Kristin Olstad was touched by her daughter’s gold.

– Very funny. What should i say It’s a bit unreal, in a way. I realized this could go well, but I knew there were going to be two good jumps. I am very, very happy on your behalf.

– It means a lot to them. They are constantly fighting for equal opportunities, and this was one of them. And to win too, then.

– There were some tears when I realized that she was going to win.

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Silje Opseth came in fifth place after the first round and had a chance to jump to a medal spot. Opseth jumped 138 meters and appeared to be in full control at the start, but lost his balance and fell from what could have been a double Norwegian winner.

Opseth finally finished in fifth place, 10.8 points behind Takanashi in silver.